Petrojam workers upset that dispute with management will go to IDT

Petrojam workers are upset that the Labour Ministry has referred the dispute between them and the management of Petrojam to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT).

The union representing Petrojam's workers and the entity's management met with the Labour ministry last Friday following a the issuing of a 72-hour strike notice by the workers if certain issues were not addressed.

Vincent Morrison, the President of the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), says the ministry asked for more time to resolve the matter.

He says workers were later surprised to learn that the matter had been referred to the IDT. 

Morrison says a date hasn't been set for the matter to be heard by the IDT, adding that the IDT doesn't always address issues in 21 days as the law says it should.

He says UCASE will ask the IDT to refer the matter back to the ministry so it can be properly addressed at that level.

Petrojam workers say they are dissatisfied with working conditions and their salary packages at the island's sole oil refinery.